The Niagara is a fairly young river, only 12,000 years old!, a microsecond in geological time. The Niagara Escarpment, 
which was created by erosion is much older. The glaciers pressed down on 
the land during the last ice age and laid down layers of sediment, then the slow process of erosion

of ice and water ate at the surface of the escarpment 

At the bottom of the falls, the water travels 15 miles over many gorges until it reaches the fifth 

Great Lake-Ontario. The land between the lakes does not slope at an even grade, but forms a 
spectacular drop approximately the same height as a 20 story building and this is known as the 
"Niagara Escarpment" Two billion years ago it was buried under a blanket of ice. 
As the years past, the process of erosion took place, (and still does) five distinct 'gorges' were 
formed-Lewiston Brange Gorge, Old Narrow Gorge, Upper & Lower Great Gorges and the 
Whirlpool Narrow Gorge. 
Approximately 500 years ago the river encountered an obstacle that caused it to 'split into two 

channels', thus Goat Island was formed named after John Stedman whose goat herds froze to 
death in the winter of 1780). This was the original sediment left from a vanished Lake Tonawanda 
(an Indian name). 
On the eastern part of the island, the American Falls took shape, the Horseshoe Falls, is on the 
 western side, where the river angles some 90 degrees

The water flow on the American side of the falls is much less in strength because of Goat Island, 

whereas Horseshoe Falls has no obstruction to divert it. 
It should be noted that a third much narrower falls exists. Over the years these falls have been 
called at different times; Luna Falls, Iris Falls and is currently named Bridal Veil Falls.

The tremendous volume of water never stops flowing,  However, the falling 
water and mist create ice formations along the banks of the falls and river. 
This can result in mounds of ice as thick as fifty feet. If the Winter is cold for 
long enough, the ice will completely stretch across the river and form what 
is known as the "ice bridge".  This ice bridge can extend for several miles 
down river until it reaches the area known as the lower rapids. 

If you make purchases and travel between Niagara Falls Ontario and New York, be sure to save receipts. When crossing the international border, you will be required to declare all purchases. Certain items may be taxable or you may qualify for tax refunds. Please visit the duty free stores located at the bridges between the U.S. and Canada for more information.